Paramount Pictures’s Bob Marley biopic has cast Lashana Lynch to play Bob Marley’s wife, Rita.
After a lengthy-search, in which one of the criterias was someone with Jamaican descent, the family –including Rita herself– gave their blessing to have Lynch (who is British but her family comes from Jamaica) star in the project. She will star opposite British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir who was previously cast as the reggae icon who is the focus of the untitled biopic.
Reinaldo Marcus Green will helm the film and he is re-teaming up with Zach Baylin, who will pen the screenplay. Green and Baylin both worked on the Oscar-nominated film King Richard. Green directed and Baylin wrote the screenplay.
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The studio has not disclosed specific plot details, but the film will focus on Marley’s life and career.
Considered the pioneer of reggae music, Marley, a native of Jamaica, began performing in 1963 with The Wailers. He went solo more than a decade later in 1974 and had a profound impact on the music landscape before he died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36.
However in that short lifetime he changed the landscape of music, introducing generations to reggae with such songs as “Get Up, Stand Up,” “One Love,” “No Woman, No Cry,” “Could You Be Loved,” “Buffalo Soldier,” “Jammin’” and “Redemption Song.”
The upcoming musical movie is being made with support from Marley’s family. His children, Ziggy and Cedella Marley and his wife, Rita Marley will produce on behalf of Tuff Gong. Robert Teitel will also serve as a producer.
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This month, per Jam Bands, Ziggy Marley announced plans for a one-off tribute concert to his father in London. Set to place at the O2 Academy Brixton in June, the show will mark the 50th anniversary of Bob Marley’s first time touring the United Kingdom.